Describe motherhood in three words
Amazing, tiring, inspiring.
Does your experience differ from your mother's? How?
I was born in an RAF hospital in West Germany so I my mother's experience of birth and early motherhood were fairly regimented. They were not well off on their return to the UK (I was a few months old) and my father worked away from home at various points in my early childhood. My grandmother moved to the same village when I was three years old, which enabled my mother to return to work.
My pre- and post-natal experience has been much more free-flowing, probably due to the vast amounts of information available nowadays: I did a lot of reading whilst pregnant and formed my own opinions as to how I wished to mother. Father Badger and I have rarely been separated overnight since Baby Badger was born, and I've found the rare occasions apart very difficult. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for my mother. We are also much better off, enabling me to return to work at 12 months.
What's the hardest thing about being a mum?
Not being able to do what I want, when I want. It's not even the selfish or self-indulgent things such as sitting with a book or going out clubbing (not that I really miss those days): it's having the time to sort through boxes in the spare room without having to watch what's being posted through the bannisters; being able to prune the garden without constantly checking that Baby Badger isn't trying to eat gravel.
What's the best thing?
The constant love I have for her. Being able to comfort her and connect when I breastfeed her.
How has it changed you?
My priorities have changed. All those things I say that I can't do such as gardening and tidying: I can do them but given the choice I'd rather spend the time with her.
What do you hope for your children?
Health and happiness.
What do you fear for them?
Everything. Every time I watch the news I realise that so much of humanity has no respect for life and I panic, fearing the worst.
What makes it all worthwhile?
The hugs. The way she's loving her time with grandparents or at nursery during the day but is still delighted to see me. The way she learns new words, new things every day, making me proud.
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